For as long as I can remember, my family had a tradition of “finding” Christmas. We would drive around the neighborhood seeking out the beautiful decorations of the season.

Living in New York, I now walk through my neighborhoods to discover beautiful, peaceful moments that get me closer to “finding” Christmas.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa or a holiday I do not know, the joy in this season is the celebration of light and hope.

Throughout this time of year, I hope you too will “find” your Christmas.

This video was put together with images I have taken over the past few years walking from Central Park to the Upper West Side, down to Washington Square Park, up to Rockefeller Center and then on to Cape Cod.

When Hurricane Sandy was on it’s way, New Yorkers were still a bit skeptical about the storm’s potential based on our experiences from last year with Hurricane Irene.

As I did with Irene, my goal was to photograph the progress of the storm.

The city shut down late afternoon on Monday October 29, 2012 to brace for what was to come. That included all forms of transportation, so I spent time in my neighborhood.

I went out on 3 separate occasions during the 24 hours that Sandy came to town. The first was around 4:00pm on Monday, as winds began to pick up and the East River began to rise. It didn’t spill over at this time; that would come around 9:00pm when the tide was high and the moon was full.

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During the peak of the storm, not realizing how powerful the winds truly were I headed down toward the river. (These images in the dark were taken around 9:30pm on Monday night.) As a result of not heeding Mayor Bloomberg’s warnings, a gust actually lifted me, blowing me up East 78th Street. I thank the gentleman (my guardian angel) that was ahead of me, as he stopped the momentum of that surge.

Next time the forecast calls for wind gusts of 80 mph+, I will think twice. Today I count my blessings that from that night I have just a badly sprained knee. However, I needed to document the event and would have stayed longer if not for what happened.

I did witness the East River at a height I’ve never seen before. As I stood on the corner of East 78th Street and the FDR Drive, the water was up to my knees.

Things could have been much worse, as many residents of my city have lost their homes.

This is why I am thankful for the many little things that come my way.

As we all find our way and move forward after the incredible storm that hit the mid-atlantic coast, I find that a moment of reflection to what once was and to what will be is appropriate. As I mentioned in my July posting “The Merry-Go-Round”, I spent many a happy day at a boardwalk amusement park in Seaside Heights, New Jersey.

Photo courtesy of Fox News Latino

During the surge of Hurricane Sandy, this section along the Jersey Shore was one of many that has transformed from a thriving summer resort to a pile of rubble.

One has to stand in awe to the power nature truly has.

As painful as it may be to see the destruction of places and things we love, it helps put into perspective what things we really cherish: family, friends and memories.

And as we rebuild here in NYC, Long Island and New Jersey, we should keep the force of nature in mind to make sounder decisions. Change what once was so that the future will be stronger and brighter-allowing nature the space it needs to eb and flow.

“WIN is the result of a belief in the need for less formulaic stock photography.
At WIN art buyers can find eclectic and extraordinary imagery from
handpicked talent with a highly creative aesthetic.”-from the WIN website, founder Hans Neleman.

Here is my page of images
Please reach out to WIN often for your photography needs
as there is amazing work to choose from.

When I was a little girl, my grandparents would take my sister and I to the boardwalk on the Jersey Shore. Our particular part of the world was “Seaside Heights“. Before the days of Great Adventure (Six Flags) this is where we screamed on the roller coaster, bumped the bumper cars and ate salt water taffy, cotton candy & ice cream until our bellies were ready to burst.

But the most fun of all is when we got to ride on the Merry-Go-Round. I would always have to be on a horse that moved up and down-I would fly!

When I was very little my grandfather would stand beside me and hold on to make sure I would never slip off. As I got older, they would let me ride on my own-such freedom! The joy was that each time I went around, I would see my grandmother sitting on the park bench and she would wave to me. Oh boy was that terrific fun!

Seaside was such a great place as a child. This is where my grandfather would win us large stuffed animals all by tossing a few rings at a glass bottle.

It was later as a teenager that I would win my first prize, a record album “The Best of Bread” at the booth with the large spinning wheel. Man, was I excited. I still think I have it around somewhere…

I always wanted to work at the boardwalk when I was old enough. Gran would not have it. She was concerned about what went on after the sun went down. Me, I thought it would be the coolest thing in the world!

Well, I never did get to work there. But I have wonderful memories of riding that Merry-Go-Round so many years ago.

Recently, I had a chance to ride a different carousel in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard. This is the oldest carousel on the Island (built-in 1876). Maybe even the US. [It is listed in the National Historical Register as an official landmark. Prior to moving to Martha’s Vineyard in 1884, the carousel spun on Coney Island’s boardwalk]*

My sister took me there to ride the “Flying Horses”. On this ride you get to reach for the “brass ring” every time you go around. There is only one on each ride, and if you are lucky enough to grab it the next ride is free. There is also a bit of competition among riders (of all ages) trying to out-do each other with the quantity of rings you pull for your total ride. I still haven’t pulled the brass ring, but there will always be the next time around…

The ride on the Merry-Go-Round will make you smile and the memories will last a lifetime. So what are you waiting for? Go out and Fly!

It is also the day that I kick back and see the world in a different way. It’s a day I seriously “people watch” as you will find many wonderful things going on all around you.

Children acting without a care in the world-just relishing the joy of being a child. Families laughing, playing games, having picnics together.

It is also a day for hot dog lovers. Enter Nathan’s International Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island.

Last 4th of July, I braved the beaches and crowds of Coney Island. Little did I know what lie ahead. I parked myself on a bench and watched through my camera lens. Fascinating. But then again, people watching always is….

I then ventured down to the waters edge. And walked toward the main beach. As I got closer and closer, the density of sun worshipers increased. It seriously reminded me of being on the 6 train during rush hour.

Children and adults alike, did not seemed phased one bit. Instead they were having a heck of a time rubbing suntan lotion on loved ones, digging holes and building sandcastles. Exactly what one does when at the beach.

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Tomorrow, I will probably find myself back at Coney Island once again. Why not? It’s how we celebrate July 4th, New York City Style!

As I woke up this morning and began the typical routine, I heard something in the news that took me from a casual approach to the day to the “photographer” mindset that kicks in anytime there is something worth noting.

Brian Lehrer, of WNYC was talking about a historic event going on right at that moment. The Space Shuttle Enterprise would “fly over” NYC as it makes it’s way to JFK Airport. [Early summer it will be transported to its final home at the The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.] It would fly over the Statue of Liberty, up the Hudson River to the Tappan Zee Bridge and then circle around Queens.

Do I run across town? Do I dash out of the house without walking Kodi?

I let a few minutes pass for logic and reality to set in. If I were to get anything of value, there should have been a bit more planning on my part. So I got myself and puppy dog dressed for our walk. I took my trusty iPhone with me to document this historic flight, hoping I would be able to catch a glimpse from the East River.

As a few of us gathered at the corner of the East 78th Street Footbridge, we discovered the flight pattern and that from our vantage point the Shuttle would be crossing by the Triborough Bridge. As we waited, Kodi also made a few new friends. It was a joyful morning!

The Shuttle flew over at approximately 11:10am. It was a beautiful site. The sky was bright blue with just the right amount of clouds. The Shuttle shimmered in the sunlight. What I saw with my eyes was amazing.

I’ve attached a few links to close ups. As you can see, I was a bit too far to get the details of the flight. But I share with you what I saw, to give you a sense of the spectacle of these few historic moments.